Couple convicted of murder for concealing fentanyl in Bronx daycare that led to a boy’s death.
A Bronx jury has found daycare owner Grei Mendez and her husband, Felix Herrera Garcia, guilty of second-degree murder and assault in connection with the tragic death of 22-month-old Nicholas Feliz-Dominici. The child died from fentanyl exposure at the Divino Niño Daycare, a facility that prosecutors allege had been operating as a drug distribution center.
The culpability of the couple came into sharp focus during the trial, which spanned several weeks. The jury rendered its verdict on Friday, just days after the anniversary of Nicholas’s fourth birthday—an occasion that weighed heavily on the child’s grieving father, Otoniel Feliz Samboy. Samboy expressed the profound pain of experiencing a time meant for celebration as a marker of loss, highlighting the emotional toll this case has taken on his family.
Nicholas died on September 15, 2023, after ingesting fentanyl, one of several drugs that prosecutors indicated were hidden in the daycare. Investigators found over 11 grams of fentanyl and heroin concealed beneath play mats where children napped. Further examinations revealed an additional kilogram of fentanyl, along with equipment for packaging the drugs that was in use alongside kitchen items employed for preparing children’s meals.
The couple’s actions exposed not only the tragedy of a child’s untimely death but also raised significant community concerns regarding safety in daycare environments. Prosecutors presented evidence that Mendez failed to immediately alert emergency responders after finding Nicholas and another child unresponsive, instead contacting her husband and a fellow employee who attempted to remove drugs from the premises prior to the arrival of authorities.
Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark emphasized the devastating impact of the case on the community and the family affected, conveying hope that the convictions might provide a sense of justice for Nicholas’s family. As they await sentencing in next month, both Mendez and Garcia face severe federal drug-trafficking charges, with existing proposed sentences of 20 and 45 years, respectively.
This heart-wrenching case serves as a grim reminder of the dangers associated with drug abuse and the extreme vulnerabilities faced by children in care settings. The verdict reached by the jury underscores a critical need for enhanced scrutiny and regulation of facilities responsible for the care of young children. As the family seeks closure, community members continue to grapple with the profound implications of this tragedy.
